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Does Microsoft have the answer to weight loss

March 7, 2008 in Obesity Solutions by Allen | 11 comments

In 2002, Steve Ballmer — the president of Microsoft — lost 50 pounds. His success prompted the company to offer a weight management benefit to all employees.

Here is what’s included:

* Year’s worth of sessions with a personal trainer

* Behavioral and nutritional counseling

* Support groups

* Medical supervision

The total cost of the program is $6,000 which the employee contributes just 20%.

The result? 61,100 pounds have vanished from 2,152 Microsofties.

So, what do you think? Is this a program which will likely be rolled out to all employees in the United States?

I don’t think so. Microsoft’s experience is like the articles about celebrities losing weight. We read about them losing 50 pounds or whatever but, what we don’t learn, is that they get to work with a personal trainer several hours a day and have a personal chef preparing all the food they eat.

It would be nice — but that’s just not the reality for most Americans.

Allen Oelschlaeger
Author of Finally, the Straight Scoop About Weight, Nutrition, and Fitness

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